Chapter 113 Aria’s Decision
Under Sophie's watchful gaze, Arthur signed the divorce agreement. The moment he wrote his name, he felt something snap inside him, and his eyes stung with tears. Holding back his emotions, he took a deep breath and contacted Victor, who had just left his business card, asking him to come pick up the agreement.
Victor hadn't gone far. After receiving Arthur's call, he quickly returned to collect the agreement. "Thank you, Mr. Grant."
Arthur didn't respond. He just watched as Victor put the divorce agreement into his briefcase, feeling something inside him quietly shatter.
He knew that once this divorce agreement reached Aria's hands, there would be no way to salvage their relationship.
But given the current situation, this was the only choice he could make.
Sophie's heart also settled as Victor left. She knew that after today, there would be no going back for Arthur and Aria.
"Arthur, I'm not forcing you to make a choice..."
Before Sophie could finish, Arthur cut her off, his voice hoarse. "I know. Call the doctor, I'm not feeling well."
As soon as Arthur finished speaking, he collapsed. Seeing Arthur fall in front of her, Sophie panicked for a moment and quickly ran to the bedside to press the call button for the doctor.
Compared to the chaos in that hospital room, things were much calmer on Aria's side.
By the time Summer arrived after getting the call, Aria had already been bailed out by Lance and had gone back to her studio.
She happened to run into someone from a trust fund looking for her.
"Excuse me, is this Ms. Aria Hall's studio?"
Aria had been discussing something with Lance. Seeing this, she stood up and greeted the person. "Hello, yes, I am. How can I help you?"
"Hello, Ms. Hall. We're from a trust fund. Your father entrusted an overseas fund association before he passed away to leave you a sum of money, and asked us to deliver the fund to you today."
The person from the trust fund introduced himself and explained his purpose.
Aria's eyes flashed with surprise. She frowned and said, "You're saying my father entrusted you before he passed away?"
"Yes."
The trust fund representative nodded and handed Aria the document in his hand. "This contains the specific details of the fund, as well as some words Mr. Hall left for you before he passed."
Aria quickly took the document and opened it right in front of him. When she saw her father's name at the bottom, her eyes immediately welled up with tears. She sniffled, looked back up at the trust fund representative, and said, "I'll review this carefully. If I have any questions, I'll contact you."
The man nodded. "Alright, here's my business card. Feel free to contact me anytime."
Aria took the card and nodded. "Okay."
After the trust fund representative left, Aria went upstairs with the document. Summer and Lance followed her up.
"Ria, it's Dad. By the time you read this letter, I should already be somewhere far away. The reason I didn't give you this letter earlier is because I was thinking that by now, my daughter should be able to stand on her own.
I worry—I worry that one day my daughter might not be doing well, and what if Dad isn't there to help? Then I thought of a solution.
I've left you some money. It's not a lot, but if things aren't going well for you, this money can help you leave. This is the last bit of security Dad can give you."
As Aria read the letter her father left behind, tears immediately streamed down her face. She hadn't cried when facing Arthur's situation, hadn't cried through all the grievances she'd suffered during this time.
But her father's letter made her cry.
She could almost see her father's trembling hand holding the pen as he wrote this letter, see his wholehearted desire for her to live well, giving her this final security.
Aria shut herself in her office and cried. Through the office window, Summer watched Aria hugging her knees with her head buried, crying, and her heart ached.
But she knew that right now, the best thing she could do was give Aria a quiet, private space to let out all her pain.
Lance also said nothing, just silently watching Aria in the room, with an indescribable feeling in his heart.
While they were waiting, Victor returned.
Lance knew Victor and was a bit surprised to see him back so soon. "Victor?"
Victor nodded slightly. "Where's Ms. Hall?"
"Inside. What's going on?"
"This is what Ms. Hall requested. The other party has already signed."
Victor took the divorce agreement out of his bag. When Summer saw it, her eyes widened and her expression turned displeased. "What does Arthur mean by this? He's sending over the signed divorce agreement now?"
Just as Summer finished speaking, Aria's office door opened from inside. She came out with red eyes, looking like she'd just been crying.
Aria didn't say anything. She just took the divorce agreement from Victor's hand. Looking at Arthur's signature at the end, she felt a slight sense of relief. She looked at Summer, who was indignant on her behalf, gave a small smile, and shook her head. "Summer, I'm fine. This is what I wanted."
Hearing this and seeing Aria's tear-filled eyes, Summer felt even more heartbroken. "You should sue him for this, make him pay for these three years of marriage. After everything you've given these three years, to end up with just this—how can that be okay?"
"Victor, thank you. Go downstairs and settle the fees with Lucy."
Aria had wanted to say something, but seeing Victor was still there, she asked him to leave first.
Victor nodded. "Alright. If there are any issues later, just let me know."
"Okay."
After Victor left, Aria invited Summer and Lance into her office. "Come in, let's talk."
Once everyone was in the office, Aria said, "Getting Arthur to sign the divorce agreement in this situation is best for me. Because he feels guilty, I can get what I want."
"But..."
"Summer, I know you're upset for me, but sometimes we need to let things go, especially at times like this. I've already decided—I'm planning to go abroad."
Aria sighed softly, shook her head, and shared her thoughts.
As soon as she said this, Lance's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why go abroad? Since you've already signed the divorce agreement, can't you just move out? Going abroad—how will you take care of yourself alone in a foreign country?"